A class action lawsuit has been filed against the commission alleging the newly required Global Position Systems and credit card machines are an invasion of drivers' privacy. The Taxi & Limousine Commission and the city of New York plans to enforce the new mandate as of October 1, 2007.
The Taxi Workers Alliance filed the class action lawsuit in Manhattan Federal Court on behalf of its 13,000 yellow cab drivers and claims the demand is an unconstitutional invasion of drivers' privacy because the devices can be used to track and follow them throughout the day. The class action claims secret routes drivers use to navigate around town are protected trade secrets. Drivers also contend the city is violating their Fourth and Fifth Amendment rights against unreasonable searches and seizures and self-incrimination.
